Thomas Stalker's quick off the mark for London 2012

Thomas Stalker today became the first Great Britain boxer to guarantee his place at London 2012.

The 27-year-old Liverpool light-welterweight reached the quarter-finals of the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, and earned an automatic qualifying slot.

Stalker kept his nerves at bay and displayed considerable skill to beat Russia's Alexander Solyanikov 17-9.

The pair were level at 3-3 after the first round but Stalker's precision punching saw him nudge into a two-point lead at the end of the second, before easing to a comprehensive victory.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games champion and European silver medallist, who once described himself as a "tearaway", only took up the sport eight years ago in an attempt to stay out of trouble.

Three more Great Britain boxers - Luke Campbell, Anthony Ogogo and Welshman Fred Evans - have the chance to join Stalker in guaranteeing their Olympic places later today.